Porno

For those who have never read any of Irvine Welsh's books (Trainspotting, Acid House, Glue), let me start off by saying they are wonderful. Currently I am reading Porno, the sequel to Trainspotting (I read that for a monologue in theater two years ago). The only problem with reading a book with the title Porno is that you can't read it just anywhere without getting strange looks and remarks from people. This could be coupled with the fact most people out here don't read for fun and most don't know Trainspotting was a book before it was a movie. This makes it even harder to explain who the author is when asked about the book. Most of the time I get the haughty sideways glance from "proper women" on the bus or in a sandwich shop. I also get the leering check out look from the more unsavory patrons of my public reading areas. I think it is fascinating how one word, a book title, can make people assume I'm into the sex-industry. I don't think it looks like a how-to manual. Maybe it is because it is a seemingly taboo thing. If I were reading Construction Work for Dummies, I do not think many people would believe I was looking to be a construction worker. Maybe it is that people don't know what to think when they see the book except it is somehow wrong. The most common vocal reaction I have come across is somebody seeing the title and saying "Porno?" and nothing else. Not "Is that a dirty adult book?" or "Are you in the porn industry?". No. Just "Porno?"